DEAN RICHARDS has credited Michael Tait for playing his way to a second consecutive start for Newcastle Falcons.

The Scottish centre made his first league start of the season in last week’s 36-3 win over Moseley, and forms part of an unchanged back-line for this evening’s visit of Cornish Pirates.

The director of rugby said: “We are absolutely delighted to be in a position to name the same backs division.

“I thought Michael played his part against Moseley after getting his opportunity at outside centre, and he deserves his place again on the back of that.

“I have been pleased with his progress, and against Cornish Pirates hopefully we can see a continuation of that.”

Newcastle have changed half of their forward pack going into a game where a win would secure them a position in the Championship semi-finals with six games left to go, having won all 15 of their league outings so far.

A pulled calf sees Rob Vickers ruled out at hooker, where Matt Thompson comes in, while loose-head Jonny Golding is replaced by Grant Shiells after suffering what the club described as a “minor knock”.

James Hudson takes the place of James Goode in the second row, while the only other change comes on the blindside flank where Mark Wilson starts in place of Taiasina Tu’ifua.

Vickers’ injury has seen Michael Mayhew recalled from his loan spell at London Irish, Richards explaining: “It looks like Bobby will be out for around three to four weeks as a minimum at the moment.

“Michael’s return is just a case of needing the cover given that George McGuigan is also away with Ireland Under-20s in their Six Nations programme, and it was the sensible thing to do.”

Back-line trio Tane Tu’ipulotu, Alex Tait and Luke Fielden, meanwhile, are all expected back in the next few weeks after suffering knee injuries.

Richards said: “It seems to be a backs thing, at the moment, but they all look like coming back around roughly the same time and they aren’t too far away.”

Cornish Pirates have changed much of the team which was beaten at home by London Scottish last weekend, the fifth-placed side travelling north without captain Gavin Cattle and tight-head Alan Paver.

London Welsh loan wing Ashley Smith makes a first league start of the season, while Aaron Penberthy slots in at stand-off after featuring for Redruth in recent weeks.

Pirates head coach Ian Davies said: “Playing the Falcons this season, and especially away from home, provides a big challenge.

“But we will just get up there and play, and hopefully conjure up a performance to put the disappointment of last weekend behind us.”